EAST PETERSBURG, PA. — Working with Penn State University, the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers is developing a new certification program for its members. President David Bessette introduced the Professional Service Manager's Academy in May to the NAOHSM Board of Directors during the group's annual convention and trade show in Hartford, Conn.

"Our membership, through surveys and focus groups, told us what they need to be successful," Bessette said. " As present-day service managers know, you need more than an excellent technical background to run a service department. This certification program will offer training in communications, human resources, leadership and understanding financial statements. Students will be able to select a couple of additional courses, enabling them to round out their education in service management.

"Service is an important and beneficial part of a successful oil business."

Bessette is vice president of Arlex Oil Co. in Lexington, Mass., and secretary of the Northeast Massachusetts Chapter of NAOHSM. He has served as NAOHSM's educational chairman for a number of years and said that it is time to focus more on the service manager to provide him with the tools he needs to be as successful as possible.

"My goals are no different than my predecessors, that being working to provide our members with educational opportunities," Bessette said. "Look at our executive board, there are over 200 years of experience between them. That is good, but it is also not good. We've got to prepare future leaders for our association. One way to do this is with educational opportunities."

Other NAOHSM officers include: vice presidents John Wilcox, secretary of the Bucks-Mont Chapter in Souderton, Pa., chairman of the Convention Committee and member of the Budget Committee; John Griffin of the Nassau-Suffolk Chapter and service manager with General Utilities in Plainview, N.Y.; James Falconi, president of the Central Massachusetts Chapter, and owner and operator of Falconi Brothers; and Dorsey Finn Jr. of the Garden State Chapter, general operations manager of Mitchell Supreme Fuel Co. in Orange, N.J. The treasurer is Michael Szentesy of the Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter and Suntec Industries. The secretary is George Mc-Queeney of the New Haven Chapter and service manager for East River Energy in Guilford, Conn.

NAOHSM chapters throughout the Northeast offer memberships. Companies can also enroll via the association's recently established national direct membership status. To join NAOHSM or learn more about it, visit www. naohsm. org or call Executive Director Judy Garber at 888/552-0900.